Union Cabinet on 23rd Nov 2016 approved the introduction of the Merchant Shipping Bill 2016 in the Parliament.
Cabinet also approved repealing of Merchant Shipping Act 1958 and Coasting Vessels Act 1838.
The bill permits substantially owned vessels and vessels on Bare Boat Cum Demise to be registered as Indian flag vessels and recognises Indian controlled tonnage as a separate category.
It provides for issuing the licences to Indian flag vessels for coastal operation and for port clearance by the Customs authorities and separate rules for coastal shipping.
It introduces welfare measures for seafarers and insurance for crew of vessels with net tonnage less than 15 tons.
It also calls for registration of few residuary category of vessels not covered under any statute and makes provisions for security-related aspects.
It also provides for survey, inspection and certification of vessels to enable simplified regime for convenience of Indian shipping industry.
About Merchant Shipping LegislationMerchant Shipping Bill 2016 affects provisions pertaining to 7 different conventions namely:- Intervention Convention 1969,
- Search and Rescue Convention 1979,
- Protocol for Prevention of Pollution from Ships Annex VI to Marine Pollution Convention, Convention for Control and Management of Ships Ballast Water and Sediments 2004,
- Nairobi Wreck Removal Convention 2007, Salvage Convention 1989 and
- International Convention for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001.
- Merchant Shipping Act 1958 has been amended between 1966 and 2014 nearly 17 times
- Sections now total 560 while provisions have been shortened to 280 sections in the bill
